Connector assembly

ABSTRACT

A connector assembly to fasten two members including an elongate fastener with a transverse aperture where the transverse aperture has a countersunk surface and a screw threaded nipple positionable in the transverse aperture so that when the nipple is placed into the transverse aperture it moves down the countersunk surface and forces the fastener to move and bring the two fastened members closer together. The connector assembly can also include a housing to assist with the positioning of the nipple. The connector assembly has relatively few parts and provides a tight and aesthetically pleasing connection finish.

The present application is the national phase application correspondingto International Application PCT No. PCT/CN2009/000107, filed Jan. 30,2009 and amended on Dec. 24, 2009, which claims priority to AustralianApplication No. 2008200436, filed on Jan. 30, 2008; both applicationsare hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to fasteners and fastening assemblies forfurniture, bench tops, cabinets, beams and the like. Reference will bemade in the specification to connecting furniture parts and bench topsbut this is by way of example only and the invention is not limited tothese examples.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Connecting two different furniture parts is often difficult as nails andscrews do not provide a clean and aesthetically pleasing finish.Furthermore there is often a small gap or space between the twofurniture parts and it is difficult to obtain an abutting connection.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternativeconnector assembly that overcomes one or more of the above mentionedproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the invention broadly resides in a connector assembly tofasten two members, one of said members having a shaped end, theconnector including

an elongate fastener with an end for insertion into one of the membersand a transverse aperture formed at a predetermined spacing from saidend, said transverse aperture has at least one countersunk surface withan apex substantially aligned coaxially with said transverse aperture;

a grub screw insertable into the other member along a transverse axissubstantially at said predetermined spacing from the shaped end;

a nipple formed onto one end of the grub screw wherein the nipple may beplaced into the transverse aperture for movement down the countersunksurface towards the apex thereof and whereby the fastener moves withrespect to the other member and brings the two fastened members closertogether.

Preferably the nipple is screw threaded.

The fastener preferably has a screw threaded end.

The counter sunk surface of the transverse aperture is preferably shapedto allow the nipple to slide downward further into the transverseaperture. The side of the transverse aperture is preferably shaped at adownward incline from the periphery towards the center of the aperture.

In one embodiment there is a housing for the positioning of the nippleinto the transverse aperture of the fastener. The housing preferably hasopposing apertures in the side of the housing to allow the fastener topass there through.

In another embodiment the connector assembly includes one or morebrackets that serve to maintain the position of the member without beingdislodged or withdrawn. The one or more brackets are preferably curvedplates.

In another aspect the invention broadly resides in a connector assemblyfor connecting a first member to a second member, the second member hasa preformed cavity and a preformed aperture, the preformed aperture ispositioned substantially at 90 degrees to the preformed cavity and opensto the preformed cavity, the connector assembly including

an elongate fastener with a first end fixable to the first member and asecond end positionable in the preformed cavity of the second member,the second end has a fastener aperture with a countersunk peripheralsurface on at least one side; and

a screw threaded nipple that is positionable in the preformed apertureof the second member and beatable in the fastener aperture wherein inuse the second end of the fastener is positioned in the preformed cavitywith the fastener aperture with the countersunk peripheral surfacealigned with the preformed aperture so that the countersunk peripheralsurface is exposed through the preformed aperture and is contacted whenthe nipple is screwed and as the nipple moves down the countersunksurface to substantially center the nipple in the fastener aperture andthe elongate fastener and hence the first member moves closer to thesecond member.

The first and second members may be furniture parts, cabinet parts andthe like and can be made of wood; particle board, paper board, chipboard, honeycomb board and the like; and plastic.

Preferably the fastener is positioned so that a portion of thecountersunk peripheral surface that is distal to the first member isexposed through the preformed aperture and is contacted when the nippleis screwed into the fastener.

Preferably, the elongate fastener is a screw threaded fastener and thefirst end has a screw thread.

The second end of the elongate fastener preferably has a countersunksurface about the periphery of the fastener aperture on both sides ofthe elongate fastener.

The fastener aperture preferably has a narrowed portion formed byopposing peripheral countersunk surfaces of the fastener aperture andthat spaces apart the two countersunk surfaces.

Preferably, the second end of the elongate fastener has a fastenercavity for accommodating a screw driver head or an Allen key.

In one embodiment, the elongate fastener is a one-part fastener whereinthe first end is integrally formed with the second end.

In another embodiment, the elongate fastener is a two-part fastenerwherein the first end is formed by a first fastener part and the secondend is formed by a separate second fastener part. Preferably theelongate fastener is a two-part fastener where the first end is formedby a first fastener part and the second end is formed by a separatesecond fastener part and the parts are connectable by a screw threadedconnection. The first fastener part preferably has a screw threadedportion at one end and a screw threaded projection located at an opposedend. The second is fastener part preferably has a fastener recess toreceive the screw threaded projection. The fastener recess preferablyhas an inner screw threads that is complementary to the screw thread ofthe screw threaded projection.

The screw threaded nipple preferably has a cylindrical portion with ascrew thread and a conical-like portion.

The conical-like portion preferably has a blunt tip.

Preferably the screw threaded nipple has a collar portion between thecylindrical portion and the conical-like portion.

The nipple preferably can be tightened or loosened by use of a screwdriver head or an Allen key fitted into a tool recess at its end.

The screw threaded nipple preferably is supported within a nipplehousing when the connector assembly is assembled. The nipple housingpreferably has a housing cavity surrounded by a substantiallycylindrical side wall that has two opposing apertures for accommodatingthe fastener.

The nipple housing has a base wall in one embodiment and does not have abase wall in another embodiment. In one embodiment, there is a base wallthat has an internal housing recess for accommodating the tip of thescrew threaded nipple. In another embodiment, there is a base wall witha base aperture for seating the tip of the screw threaded nipple.

Preferably, the inner surface of the side wall has a screw thread. Thescrew thread of the inner surface can preferably engage the screw threadof the screw threaded nipple.

In another aspect the invention broadly resides in a method of using aconnector assembly as described above to connect a first member to asecond member, the second member has a preformed cavity and a preformedaperture, the preformed aperture is positioned substantially at 90degrees to the preformed cavity and opens to the preformed cavity, themethod including

fixing the first end of the elongate fastener to the first member;

positioning the second end of the elongate fastener in the preformedcavity of the second member wherein the fastener aperture with acountersunk peripheral surface on at least one side surface is alignedwith the preformed aperture so that the countersunk peripheral surfaceis exposed through the preformed aperture and contacted when the nippleis screwed; and

a screw threaded nipple that is positionable in the preformed apertureof the second member and locatable in the fastener aperture wherein inuse

screwing the screw threaded nipple to substantially center the nipple inthe fastener aperture, whereby the nipple moves down the countersunksurface to substantially center the nipple in the fastener aperture andthe elongate fastener and hence the first member moves closer to thesecond member.

The method in another embodiment includes the step of positioning thenipple housing in the preformed aperture of the second member wherebythe two housing apertures open to the preformed cavity and passing thefastener through the apertures of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understoodreference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustratepreferred embodiments of the invention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a connector assemblyfor connecting two furniture parts together according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a one-part screw threadedfastener of the connector assembly as shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of the screw threaded fastener asshown in FIG. 2, where the phantom lines show the side edges of afastener aperture;

FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic top view of a countersunk surface of thefastener aperture as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic partcross-sectional view of the fastener aperture shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic end view of the screw threaded fastener asshown in FIG. 2, where the phantom lines show the side edges of afastener aperture;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a screw threaded nipple of theconnector assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7A is a diagrammatic partial view of the connector assembly asshown in FIG. 1 showing the screw threaded nipple positioned on theupper countersunk surface of the screw threaded fastener and FIG. 7B isa diagrammatic partial view of the connector assembly as shown in FIG.7A showing the screw threaded nipple positioned in the fasteneraperture;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a connector assemblyfor connecting two furniture parts together according to a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a two-part screw threaded fastener ofthe connector assembly as shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view cross-sectional view of a connectorassembly for connecting two furniture parts together according to athird embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a nipple housing of the connectorassembly as shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic side view of the nipple housing as shown inFIG. 11 showing the screw threaded nipple in phantom lines in the nipplehousing;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view cross-sectional view of a connectorassembly for connecting two furniture parts together according to afourth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of an alternate nipple housing that doesnot have a base wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With respect to FIGS. 1 to 7, there is shown a connector assembly 20 forconnecting a first furniture part 22 to a second furniture part 23. Theconnector assembly 20 is a two component connector assembly with aone-part screw threaded fastener 24 and a screw threaded nipple 25.

The screw threaded fastener 24 has a first end portion 27 with screwthreads and a second end portion 28 with a fastener aperture 29. Thefastener aperture 29 has countersunk peripheral surfaces 30, 31 aboutthe fastener aperture 29 and on opposing sides of the fastener 24. Thefastener aperture 29 has a constricted portion 32 formed between theopposing countersunk peripheral surfaces 30, 31.

The screw threaded nipple 25 has a cylindrical portion 33 and aconical-like 15 portion 34. The cylindrical portion 33 has an outersurface with screw threads 35 and a tool recess 36 at the free end ofthe cylindrical portion 33 to accommodate an Allen key for tightening orloosening the nipple 25.

The interaction between the screw threaded fastener 24 and the screwthreaded nipple 25 to connect the first furniture part 22 to the secondfurniture part 23 will now be described.

The second furniture part 23 has a preformed elongate cavity that canaccommodate the second end portion 28 of the screw threaded fastener 24.The second furniture part 23 also has a preformed aperture that canaccommodate the screw threaded nipple 25. The preformed aperture ispositioned substantially at 90 degrees to the preformed cavity and opensto the preformed cavity.

In order to connect the first furniture part 22 to the second furniturepart 23, the first end portion 27 of the screw threaded fastener 24 isfixed to the first furniture part 22 whereas the second end portion 28is positioned in the preformed cavity. The second end portion 28 ispositioned whereby the fastener aperture 29 is aligned with thepreformed aperture and the portion of the countersunk peripheral surface30 distal from the end of the second furniture part 23 is exposed forcontact by the screwed nipple 25. The presence of two countersunkperipheral surfaces 30, 31 facilitates alignment as half a turn of thefastener 24 will present and expose a countersunk peripheral surface 30,31 as described above. With fasteners that have only one countersunkperipheral surface adjustment requires a full turn.

The first furniture part 22 is connected to the second furniture part 23by screwing the screw threaded nipple 25 into the second furniture part23 via the 15 preformed aperture. The following steps occur insequential order when the screw threaded nipple 25 is screwed into thesecond furniture part 23.

Firstly, the screw threaded nipple 25 is positioned on the uppercountersunk surface 30 with the tip of the conical-like portion 34 nearan outer edge 41 that is furthermost spaced from the first furniturepart 22. This is shown in FIG. 7A. Secondly, the screw threaded nipple25 is screwed into the second furniture part 23 to substantially centerthe screw threaded nipple 25 in the fastener aperture 29. This is shownin FIG. 7B.

As the screw threaded nipple 25 is screwed into the second furniturepart 23, the position of the tip of the conical-like portion 34 changesfrom the outer edge 41 of the countersunk surface 30 to the center ofthe fastener aperture 29.

The downward movement of the nipple 25 moves the fastener 24 fixed tothe first furniture part 22 so that the furniture parts 23, 22 movecloser. As the screw threaded nipple 25 is screwed into furniture part23 so that the conical-like portion 34 is substantially in the center ofthe fastener aperture 29, the furniture parts 22, 23 abut. The tip ofthe nipple 25 penetrates into the space on the other side of thefastener 24 in the preformed cavity. The nipple is screwed in and iscountersunk to provide a neat and aesthetic finish.

With respect to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a three componentconnector assembly 45 for connecting a first furniture part 46 to asecond furniture part 47. The connector assembly 45 has a two-part screwthreaded fastener 48 and a screw threaded nipple 49. The connectorassembly 45 is similar to the connector assembly 20 except that thescrew threaded fastener 48 has a first fastener part 50 that is separatefrom a second fastener part 51. The first fastener part 50 has screwthreads 52 at one end and a screw threaded projection 53 at an opposedend. The second fastener part 51 has a fastener recess with acomplementary screw thread for engaging the screw thread of the screwthreaded projection 53. The second fastener part 51 also has a fasteneraperture 55 with two countersunk surfaces 56, 57.

The connector assembly 45 can be used to connect a first furniture part46 and a second furniture part 47 in a way similar to that describedabove for the connector assembly 20. The difference in connecting thetwo furniture parts 46, 47 with the connector assembly 45 is that thesecond fastener part 51 is attached to the first fastener part 50through the screw threaded projection 53. During the assembling twofurniture parts 46, 47 the first fastener part 50 is fixed to the firstfurniture part 46. The second fastener part 51 is screwed onto the screwthreaded projection 53 and positioned in a preformed cavity of thesecond furniture part 47. The screw threaded projection 53 enables thesecond fastener part 51 to be rotated about the first fastener part 50.The second fastener part 51 can therefore be conveniently adjusted toalign the fastener aperture 55 with the preformed aperture of the secondfurniture part 47 whereby one of the countersunk surfaces 56, 57 isexposed for contact by the nipple 49.

The screw threaded nipple 49 is fixed to the second furniture part 47 ina manner similar to that described above for the screw threaded nipple25.

With respect to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, there is shown a four componentconnector assembly 61 for connecting a first furniture part 62 to asecond furniture part 63. The connector assembly 61 has a two-part screwthreaded fastener 65, a 15 screw threaded nipple 66 and a nipple housing67. The screw threaded fastener 65 has a fastener aperture 60 with twocountersunk peripheral surfaces about the fastener aperture 60. Theconnector assembly 61 is similar to the connector assembly 45 describedabove except that the screw threaded nipple 66 is supported within thenipple housing 67 when the connector assembly 61 is assembled.

The nipple housing 67 is cylindrical in shape with an arcuate side wall69 and a base wall 70. The side wall 69 has two housing apertures 72, 73on opposed sides of the side wall 69. The inner surface of the side wall69 has a screw thread 74 that can engage the screw thread of the screwthreaded nipple 66. The internal surface of the base wall 70 has ahousing recess 75 for accommodating the tip 76 of the screw threadednipple 66.

The connection of the first furniture part 62 to the second furniturepart 63 using the connector assembly 61 involves steps similar to thosedescribed above for connector assembly 45. The difference in connectingthe two furniture parts 62, 63 with the connector assembly 61 is thatthe nipple housing 67 is positioned in a preformed aperture of thesecond furniture part 63 before the screw threaded fastener 65 ispositioned in the second furniture part 63. The nipple housing 67 ispositioned in the preformed aperture of the second furniture part 63whereby the two housing apertures 72, 73 open to the preformed cavity.The screw threaded fastener 65 is then positioned and aligned in thepreformed cavity of the second furniture part 63. The nipple housing 67is positioned in the preformed aperture of the second furniture part 63to enable the screw threaded fastener 65 to pass through the two housingapertures 72, 73 and align the fastener aperture 60 within the housingcavity 68. When the connector assembly 61 is assembled and the twofurniture parts 62, 63 are connected to each other, the screw threadednipple 66 is screwed to the nipple housing 67 and positionedsubstantially in the center of the fastener aperture 60 of the screwthreaded fastener 65. This is shown in FIGS. 10 and 12.

With respect to FIG. 13, there is shown a three component connectorassembly 80 for connecting a first furniture part 85 to a secondfurniture part 86. The connector assembly 80 has a one-part screwthreaded fastener 81, a screw threaded nipple 82 and a nipple housing83. The connector assembly 80 is similar to the connector assembly 61described above except that the screw threaded fastener 81 is a one-partinstead of a two-part screw threaded fastener. The screw threadedfastener 81 is similar to the screw threaded fastener 24 of theconnector assembly 20 described above.

The connection of the first furniture part 85 to the second furniturepart 86 involves steps similar to those described above for connectorassembly 61.

FIG. 14 shows an alternate nipple housing which is similar to thosepreviously described except that there is no base wall. The alternatenipple housing 90 is substantially cylindrical with an internal threadedsurface 91 and opposing side wall apertures 92.

Advantages

The advantages of the preferred embodiments of the connector assemblyinclude that they have relatively few parts and provide a tight andaesthetically pleasing finish. The connection formed by the connectorassembly has the advantage that it relies on both longitudinal andlateral forces thereby making it difficult to dislodge the connection.

Variations

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given byway of illustrative example of this invention, all such and othermodifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to personsskilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambitof this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word“comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and“comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components,integers or steps.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A connector assembly for connecting a firstmember to a second member, wherein the second member has a preformedcavity and a preformed aperture, the preformed aperture is positionedsubstantially at 90 degrees to the preformed cavity and opens to thepreformed cavity, the connector assembly including an elongate fastenerwith a first end fixable to the first member and a second endpositionable in the preformed cavity of the second member, the secondend has a fastener aperture with opposing countersunk peripheralsurfaces and wherein there is a constricted portion formed between theopposing countersunk peripheral surfaces; and a screw-threaded nipple,having a cylindrical portion, a collar portion and a frustoconicalportion, wherein the frustoconical portion terminates in a non-threadedblunt tip and wherein the collar portion is between the cylindricalportion and the frustoconical portion, the nipple being positionable inthe preformed aperture of the second member and locatable in thefastener aperture wherein in use the second end of the fastener ispositioned in the preformed cavity with the fastener aperture, with thecountersunk peripheral surface aligned with the preformed aperture sothat the countersunk peripheral surface is exposed through the preformedaperture and is contacted when the nipple is screwed and as the nipplemoves down the countersunk surface to substantially center the nipple inthe fastener aperture and the elongate fastener and hence the firstmember moves closer to the second member, wherein when the frustoconicalportion is seated on the countersink peripheral surface in the fasteneraperture, the blunt tip extends through the constricted portion and pastan opposing side of the fastener aperture, wherein the elongate fasteneris a two-part fastener where the first end is formed by a first fastenerpart having a screw thread at one end and a screw threaded projection atan opposed end and the second end is formed by a separate secondfastener part having a fastener recess with a complementary screw threadfor engaging the screw thread of the screw threaded projection.
 2. Aconnector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a housing forthe positioning of the screw-threaded nipple into the transverseaperture of the fastener, the housing has opposing apertures in the sideof the housing to allow the fastener to pass there through.
 3. Aconnector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener ispositioned so that a portion of the countersunk peripheral surface thatis distal to the first member is exposed through the preformed apertureand is contacted by the nipple when the nipple is screwed into thefastener.
 4. A connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein theelongate fastener is a two-part fastener where the first end is formedby a first fastener part and the second end is formed by a separatesecond fastener part and the parts are connectable by a screw threadedconnection.
 5. A connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein thereis a nipple housing having a substantially cylindrical side wall withtwo opposing apertures for accommodating the fastener, said nipplehousing is positioned in the second member aperture and enables thescrew-threaded nipple to screw into the housing and secure the fastener.6. A connector assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the nipplehousing has no base wall.
 7. A connector assembly for connecting a firstmember to a second member, wherein the second member has a preformedcavity and a preformed aperture, the preformed aperture is positionedsubstantially at 90 degrees to the preformed cavity and opens to thepreformed cavity, the connector assembly including an elongate fastenerwith a first end fixable to the first member and a second endpositionable in the preformed cavity of the second member, the secondend has a fastener aperture with a countersunk peripheral surface andwherein there is a constricted portion formed between the opposingcountersunk peripheral surface; and a screw-threaded nipple, having acylindrical portion, a collar portion and a frustoconical portion,wherein the frustoconical portion terminates in a non-threaded blunt tipand wherein the collar portion is between the cylindrical portion andthe frustoconical portion, the nipple being positionable in thepreformed aperture of the second member and locatable in the fasteneraperture wherein in use the second end of the fastener is positioned inthe preformed cavity with the fastener aperture, with the countersunkperipheral surface aligned with the preformed aperture so that thecountersunk peripheral surface is exposed through the preformed apertureand is contacted when the nipple is screwed and as the nipple moves downthe countersunk surface to substantially center the nipple in thefastener aperture and the elongate fastener and hence the first membermoves closer to the second member, wherein when the frustoconicalportion is seated on the countersink peripheral surface in the fasteneraperture, the blunt tip extends through the constricted portion andpasted an opposing side of the fastener aperture, wherein the elongatefastener is a one part fastener where the first end is formed by a firstfastener part having a screw thread at one end and a screw threadedprojection at an opposed end and the second end is formed by a separatesecond fastener part having a fastner recess with a complementary screwthread for engaging the screw thread of the screw threaded projection.8. A connector assembly for connecting a first member to a secondmember, wherein the second member has a preformed cavity and a preformedaperture, the preformed aperture is positioned substantially at 90degrees to the preformed cavity and opens to the preformed cavity, theconnector assembly including an elongate fastener with a first endfixable to the first member and a second end positionable in thepreformed cavity of the second member, the second end has a fasteneraperture with as countersunk peripheral surface on at least one side;and a screw-threaded nipple, having a cylindrical portion, a collarportion and a frustoconical portion, wherein the frustoconieal portionterminates in a non-threaded blunt tip and wherein the collar portion isbetween the cylindrical portion and the frustoconical portion, thenipple being positionable in the preformed aperture of the second memberand locatable in the fastener aperture wherein in use. the second end ofthe fastener is positioned in the preformed cavity with the fasteneraperture, with the countersunk peripheral surface aligned with thepreformed aperture so that the countersunk peripheral surface is exposedthrough the preformed aperture and is contacted when the nipple isscrewed and as the nipple moves down the countersunk surface tosubstantially center the nipple in the fastener aperture and theelongate fastener and hence the first member moves closer to the secondmember, wherein when the frustoconical portion is seated on thecountersunk peripheral surface in the fastener aperture, the blunt tipextends through a constricted portion formed between opposingcountersunk peripheral surfaces of the second end of the elongatefastener and past an opposing side of the fastener aperture, wherein theelongate fastener is a one-part fastener where the first end isintegrally formed with the second end.